Lexington Housing CDC uses grants to address foreclosure

The Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. received grant money to help families facing foreclosures and to repair blighted houses, like this property at 512 W. Fifth Ave., that are donated to the agency.

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 3:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 3:22 p.m.

The Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. is expanding its services after receiving grants from statewide agencies to help families in Davidson County.

The nonprofit organization was awarded $240,000 from the N.C. Community Development Initiative and $55,000 by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. Antoinette Kerr, executive director of Lexington Housing CDC, said both of the allotments were part of a competitive process, and the agency will receive the money over the course of three years.

Kerr is excited about the new opportunities, however, she still emphasized that the agency's main focus is assisting first-time buyers and providing financial literacy. With the growing need of families struggling to maintain their homes, Kerr noted, the agency wants to lend a hand in the foreclosure arena to give people information.

That's the focus of the grant money — to support foreclosure programs. Kerr said there are great programs available for people who lost their jobs, and they want to try and help people secure their housing.

"We are gearing up for these new programs, in addition to a few other changes within the agency's structure," she said. "The goal is get these people in the door and making sure we get them in the right place to receive help with other organizations. We don't want (people) to end up homeless."

Across the state 29 nonprofits received a total of $5.85 million from the community development initiative. A press release said the grants will go to organizations that are creating vibrant commercial areas, green affordable homes and safe spaces for children as well as counseling entrepreneurs and business owners and teaching working families how to save.

The changes include a new staff member thanks to the N.C. Housing Finance Agency funds. Lindsay Upson will serve as the outreach coordinator. Her job will focus on reaching an estimated 100 Davidson County residents and connecting them with housing opportunities available to them. Those families may also be facing eviction or homelessness due to challenges with foreclosure. Upson will also coordinate foreclosure prevention workshops and create a way to track foreclosure renters and families who are ineligible for other forms of assistance.

"Because of the financial crisis, many people suffered a loss of jobs and homes that hurt their dreams, families and cities. Through these grants, the Lexington Housing CDC will use resources to help families begin to put the pieces back together," Upson said in a news release.

Thomasville native Janice Hunter was also added to the staff as a program coordinator for the Thomasville Housing Assistance Program. The Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. also operates The Lexington Homeownership Center and the Thomasville Housing Assistance Program.

Kerr noted that Chris Fulton, the director of construction and repair, has left, and they are seeking someone to fill the position. They are looking for a team player who has knowledge in construction matched with compassion for elderly and disabled homeowners.

She's hoping to fill that position quickly due to the agency being awarded its eighth cycle of Urgent Repair Funds that reaches an estimated 25 homeowners through $75,000 with basic repairs that address health and safety concerns.

That position also plays a key role in the summer WorkCamp that hosts more than 350 students from across the United States to provide repairs to about 50 homes in June. That program has helped fix up more than 900 homes since 2001.

For more information, go to lexingtoncdc.com or email Kerr at antionette@lexingtoncdc.com.

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>The Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. is expanding its services after receiving grants from statewide agencies to help families in Davidson County.</p><p>The nonprofit organization was awarded $240,000 from the N.C. Community Development Initiative and $55,000 by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. Antoinette Kerr, executive director of Lexington Housing CDC, said both of the allotments were part of a competitive process, and the agency will receive the money over the course of three years.</p><p>Kerr is excited about the new opportunities, however, she still emphasized that the agency's main focus is assisting first-time buyers and providing financial literacy. With the growing need of families struggling to maintain their homes, Kerr noted, the agency wants to lend a hand in the foreclosure arena to give people information. </p><p>That's the focus of the grant money — to support foreclosure programs. Kerr said there are great programs available for people who lost their jobs, and they want to try and help people secure their housing.</p><p>"We are gearing up for these new programs, in addition to a few other changes within the agency's structure," she said. "The goal is get these people in the door and making sure we get them in the right place to receive help with other organizations. We don't want (people) to end up homeless."</p><p>Across the state 29 nonprofits received a total of $5.85 million from the community development initiative. A press release said the grants will go to organizations that are creating vibrant commercial areas, green affordable homes and safe spaces for children as well as counseling entrepreneurs and business owners and teaching working families how to save.</p><p>The changes include a new staff member thanks to the N.C. Housing Finance Agency funds. Lindsay Upson will serve as the outreach coordinator. Her job will focus on reaching an estimated 100 Davidson County residents and connecting them with housing opportunities available to them. Those families may also be facing eviction or homelessness due to challenges with foreclosure. Upson will also coordinate foreclosure prevention workshops and create a way to track foreclosure renters and families who are ineligible for other forms of assistance.</p><p>"Because of the financial crisis, many people suffered a loss of jobs and homes that hurt their dreams, families and cities. Through these grants, the Lexington Housing CDC will use resources to help families begin to put the pieces back together," Upson said in a news release.</p><p>Thomasville native Janice Hunter was also added to the staff as a program coordinator for the Thomasville Housing Assistance Program. The Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. also operates The Lexington Homeownership Center and the Thomasville Housing Assistance Program.</p><p>Kerr noted that Chris Fulton, the director of construction and repair, has left, and they are seeking someone to fill the position. They are looking for a team player who has knowledge in construction matched with compassion for elderly and disabled homeowners.</p><p>She's hoping to fill that position quickly due to the agency being awarded its eighth cycle of Urgent Repair Funds that reaches an estimated 25 homeowners through $75,000 with basic repairs that address health and safety concerns. </p><p>That position also plays a key role in the summer WorkCamp that hosts more than 350 students from across the United States to provide repairs to about 50 homes in June. That program has helped fix up more than 900 homes since 2001.</p><p>For more information, go to lexingtoncdc.com or email Kerr at antionette@lexingtoncdc.com. </p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>